THE RIO FRIO

By Erica Lehrer

 

 

For Francine Ringold

 

On the hottest day in July

when even the cedars are shriveled and scorched

she heads to the river

and there

amidst the boulders

she finds five

smooth stones

and one by one

she skips them

with a flick

of her tiny wrist

watching them skim

through the crystalline water

and though she will grow up

and live for many years

in faraway cities

she will never forget

this perfect afternoon

 

 

Dancing With Ataxia

Copyright 2011 Erica Lehrer, All rights reserved.